Pitching control practice device



Nov. 3, 1936. c. c. KING 2,059,365

PITCHING CONTROL PRACTICE DEVICE Filed June 12, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 3, 1936. c, 'KIN 2,059,365

PITCHING CONTROL PRACTICE DEVICE Filed June 12, 1955- 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 3, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT- OFFICE Application June 12,

3 Claims.

My invention consists in new and useful improvements in a pitching practice control device and is primarily adapted for use by baseball pitchers for determining and perfecting their control of the ball.

It is the main object of my invention to provide a device of this character which may be used by both experienced and inexperienced pitchers in big league baseball, schools, colleges and athletic associations both for the purpose of practice in perfecting a pitchers control and for determining the fitness of a pitcher before entering a game. The device will also be invaluable to managers of baseball teams in testing new pitchers to determine their skill and control.

Another object and advantage of my invention resides in providing a realistic representation of a batter on a screen or drop of any suitable material and arranged in a predetermined position with respect to a representation of the home plate, said screen or drop being provided with a series of openings of substantially the size of a catchers mitt and located in predetermined positions with respect to the batter and to the home plate.

My invention further contemplates means for returning pitched balls to the pitchers box which is preferably located the regulation distance from the representation of the home plate.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a screen which is reversible and carries a representation of a left-handed batter on its reverse side, thereby adapting my device touse in pitching practice for perfecting control in pitching to both right-handed and left-handed batters.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, my invention consists in the novel features hereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings in which numerals of like character designate similar parts throughout the several views,

Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation showing my improved pitching practice device.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view in side elevation showing one form of ball return mechanism which may be employed, and

Fig. 4 is a sectional side view of the lower portion of the device showing the ball collecting and return pit.

1935, Serial No. 26,278

In the drawings, I represents the main frame of the device consisting of two uprights preferably formed of iron pipes with their lower extremities imbedded in concrete footings 2 and their upper ends connected by a similar pipe with suitable Us or the like, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. 3 represents a screen preferably formed of relatively thick sponge rubber, covered with heavy canvas and of slightly less dimensions than the frame I said screen adapted to be hung from the frame on hooks l suspended from the horizontal top bar of the frame I engaging eyes 5 at the upper extremity of the screen, the vertical edges of the screen 3 are drawn taut by means of tieropes or the like (i fastened to the uprights of the frame I in any suitable manner, and the bottom edge of said screen is preferably weighted by lead or other heavy weights I.

Just above the lower extremity of the screen 3 and located substantially in the horizontal center, I provide a representation of a home plate 8, and just to one side of the home plate I provide a life-size representation of a batter 9, said batter being located in the proper batting position with respect to the home plate. In this connection it will be noted that on the reverse side of the screen 3, I may provide a representation of a left-handed batter thereby making it possible to unhook the screen from the hooks 4 and reverse the same, displaying the left-handed batter on the left hand side of the home plate as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1.

II], II, I2, I3 and I4 represent a series of apertures in the screen 3 arranged at predetermined points With respect to the home plate 8 and the batter 9. Apertures II] and II are arranged substantially in line with the batters shoulders and are centered over the edge of the home plate, representing high inside. and high outside positions. Apertures I3 and I4 are centered plumb with the edge of the home plate and substantially in line with the knees of the batter, representing low inside and low outside positions. These four openings are preferably approximately ten inches square or substantially the size of a catchers mitt.

The aperture I2 is somewhat larger, for example, twelve inches by fourteen inches, centered over the center of the home plate and half Way between the upper and lower sets of openings just referred to.

The frame I supports a forwardly projecting, outwardly flaring cage or net I5 which is preferably made up of a framework of pipe secured by any suitable means to the main frame I and having wire mesh or net drawn taut between the two frames for deflecting wild pitches.

Referring to Fig. 2, I6 represents a backstop formed of relatively thick sponge rubber covered with canvas and supported by a rearward extension ll of the frame I, said extension consisting of pipes suitably connected by Us or the like as in the case, of the main frame. This backstop is spaced rearwardly a predetermined distance from the screen 3 and is provided with side walls l8 of wire mesh or net suitably secured to the framework.

In installing this device, a pit i9 is first dug in the ground in the proper location, having inclined surfaces and 2i (see Fig. 4) which converge at a point just in front of the screen 3 in a trough 22 which as shown in Fig. 1, is inclined toward the right. This trough 22 as will be seen from Figs. 2 and 3, terminates adjacent an endless conveyor 23 of any desired form and operated by any suitable mechanism, said conveyor comprising a plurality of cups 24 adapted to travel over pulleys 25 to pick up balls from the trough 22 and deliver them to an inclined chute 26 which extends diagonally forwardly to a position in close proximity to the pitchers box.

The concrete bases 22 are set in suitable recesses in the pit l9, sufficiently deep so that the representation of the home plate 8 lies in line with the surface of the ground, the weights 1 depending slightly into the pit so that the appearance of the home plate and the batter, in the eyes of the pitcher, is just the same as an actual home plate and batter. The weight of the bases 2 will firmly support the frame in a vertical position and the weights 1 and tie-ropes 55 maintain the screen taut.

The use and operation of my improved pitching practice device are as follows:

The pitchers box is preferably located the regulation distance from the screen 3, or for beginners, it may be located somewhat closer. The opening I2 being larger than the other four openings, is used primarily for warming up, and a ball pitched through this opening hits the backstop l6, drops to the inclined surface 2i, and rolls to the trough 22. From there it rolls to the endless conveyor 23 which picks it up, and deposits it in the chute 26 from whence it is returned to the pitcher.

The four openings H], H, l3 and M represent the four positions most important to a pitcher in perfecting his control, as it is well known to those skilled in this game that it is much more difficult for a batter to hit a ball delivered at these particular points. All good pitchers concentrate on these four positions in delivering balls to a batter. Obviously, with the aid of this device, these four positions are made to appear realistic to the pitcher, and any ball pitched through any of these four openings would be the equivalent of a strike.

Any balls failing to reach their mark, hit the pad 3 and drop to the inclined surface 20 and from thence through the trough to the endless conveyor 23, down the chute 26 and back to the pitcher. Any balls passing through these holes are returned in the manner heretofore described in connection with the opening l2.

As before pointed out, for a left-handed batter, the screen 3 is unhooked from the hooks 4 and reversed, the position of the batter being shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1.

From the foregoing it is believed that my invention may be readily understood by those skilled in the art without further description, it being borne in mind that I do not intend to confine myself to any specific structure with respect to the frame, supports, network or cage, or the specific composition of the screen. Obviously, many modified forms of these portions of the apparatus may be employed with equal effect and without departing from the spirit of my invention. For example, the frame carrying the screen and backstop may be mounted on wheels to facilitate its movement from one place to another. In other words, the essence of my invention resides primarily in a screen carrying a life-size representation of a batter and a home plate, with a plurality of apertures located at predetermined points with respect to the home plate and to the batter as hereinbefore described.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:-

1. In apparatus of the character described, a pit having forward and rear inclined surfaces converging toward an inclined trough, base members disposed in said pit, a frame supported by said base members, a screen carried by said frame, its lower extremity depending into said pit, a representation of a home plate at the lower portion of said screen disposed on a level with the ground, a representation of a batter adjacent said home plate, a plurality of openings in said screen at least two of which are arranged substantially in line with the batters shoulders, and at least two others of which are arranged substantially in line with the batters knees, a backstop located behind said screen whereby pitched balls are deflected into said pit, and means adjacent said trough for returning said balls to the pitcher.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said openings are centered over the respective edges of said home plate.

3. A pitching control practice device comprising a main frame, a supporting base for said frame, a screen carried by said frame, a representation of a home plate at the lower extremity of said screen, a representation of a batter adjacent said home plate, an oppositely disposed representation of a batter adjacent said home plate on the reverse side of said screen, a plurality of openings in said screen, certain of said openings being arranged substantially in line with the shoulders of said batter, and certain others of said openings being arranged substantially in line with the knees of said batter, all of said openings being arranged in predetermined positions with respect to said home plate, abackstop behind said openings, and means for returning pitched balls to the pitcher.

CECIL CLIFTON KING. 

